Always His Earl (7 page)

One by one, Myles was pulling down the walls between them and George hadn’t noticed. George caring about Myles’ safety had knocked down a whole layer as far as the sailor was concerned. It’d been so long since anyone had cared where Myles was or if he was safe, that it felt wonderful. George could claim it was about Claire, but the men knew each other too well.

The navy kept tabs on its crew, true, but in war—death was a reality. Getting too attached to friends onboard only made it harder in battle. Myles received the odd letter from Claire, but mail delivery was not very reliable. Myles’ father and brother only wrote to remind him of their rise in Society and his sickness wouldn’t be tolerated. He wouldn’t be supported in any way if he left the navy and took up with men.

The two elder Harris men had been dead for months when the news reached Myles. It’d been well over a year since the deaths before Myles could get approved for release from duty and back to port. His mourning was done and thankfully his time at war with France and his own family had both ended.

Even with all those men onboard ship in such close quarters, Myles had felt terribly alone. He’d gotten used to it. As George kissed up Myles’ chest, it started to truly sink in that someone did care. Myles believed deep down that George had never stopped. Whatever George believed Myles had done, the hate came from their love. Just like Myles’ pent-up feeling of betrayal. He’d believed George might find a way to free him. Rescue him.

Every day and every minute Myles was away from George had been painful. He’d gone numb after a year. The bitterness was gone. The Earl of Thistledown would protect his sister. Myles believed the men could find their way back together with a little patience. His sister mattered more and the fact that George felt that way only made Myles’ heart melt faster.

Myles deepened the kiss the second George reached his mouth. Their tongues tangled, but Myles gripped George’s neck to keep him right there.

“You’re getting fucked. Don’t argue today. You played games in the library. That was enough of a risk,” George said.

“I’m all yours, George. You don’t know what it means.” Myles kissed his cheek.

“What means?” George gripped Myles’ cock and caressed it slowly.

Moaning, Myles stretched. “Yesterday. You were worried about me.”

“Of course. I don’t want you dead.” He touched the scar on Myles’ side. It wasn’t something Myles would ever brag about. When their ship was hit during battle, Myles had been thrown back, and he landed on a splintered piece of wood. The damn wound had taken forever to heal, but he’d lived.

George kissed Myles again when he stayed quiet.

“You think I didn’t worry about you? Follow your ship in the news?” George rubbed his cock along Myles’ thigh.

“I couldn’t think about it. I assumed you hated me so much you wanted to be free. I’d been set adrift. Not a word in all those years; it killed me.” Myles slid his hands over George’s strong shoulders and down his back.

“Never. I wanted you here, never gone. I hated you but could never wish you any harm. Why risk your neck in the navy rather than stay safe with me? Even if you wanted to sample other men.” George licked down Myles’ chest.

Before Myles could object to George’s insane assumption, George had Myles’ cock deep in his mouth. Lifting, Myles couldn’t deny how good it felt to be fucking George again. “I’d never leave you intentionally. I didn’t want anyone else. I’m not used to people caring where I go or what I do. The Navy had control and issued orders but no one cares if you make it or not. I was cooped up on a ship alone.”

George kissed Myles’ balls and bit them gently. “I don’t want you on a leash. Just safe.”

“I believe you.” Myles gripped George’s hair and filled his mouth again and again.

Then George moaned. When Myles tried to pull George back, he went down even more until he had Myles’ entire shaft. The stimulation stole Myles’ self-control. His hips pressed into the bed as pressure gave, turning to sweet relief as he came into George’s mouth.

Letting his head fall back into those plump pillows, Myles knew this was where he belonged for the rest of his life—George’s bed. “You’re playing with me, my lord.”

“Don’t you my lord me. You like it.” George rolled Myles to one side and smacked his ass hard five times before letting him roll back.

“You never played rough before.” Myles had experienced so much variety onboard that nothing would shock him. George’s dominance coming through felt like another wall coming down. He was being true to himself.

“We were kids. We were younger. I’d never hurt you.” He rubbed the grease on Myles’ ass. “You’re coming for me every way possible this morning. It’s still dark; there is plenty of time for more before the servants are about. You’ll be begging me to take charge day and night.”

“A little pain shows you love me. I’d beg but it’d only flatter your pride.” Myles lifted his ass to tease his lover.

George grabbed a pillow and shoved it under Myles’ rear. The position made Myles freeze for a second. Onboard, most of the sex was like animals, bent over and with no eye contact. Or it was oral. Very little eye contact or romance occurred. This was already intimate and rough. George was going to take him like a woman. Anticipation and arousal gripped Myles deeply.

“Relax, you know you can take it.” George smiled.

“It’s not the physical. Being out of the navy. Being here with you. It’s starting to feel real. I know it sounds foolish, but it’s felt like a dream. Or a nightmare, with Claire’s situation. The truth has not sunk in yet that I’m free. I won’t wake up on the ship again ever.” He grabbed George’s arm and pulled him closer.

“You won’t be on a naval ship again, ever. We’re both very free. Maybe I should make it hurt just a little so you know how real it is.” George bit Myles’ nipple.

Groaning, Myles pressed up to those sharp teeth until it did hurt. “Fuck me. Don’t be a tease. Pay me back for yesterday.”

George released the nipple and bit Myles’ lower lip. “It’s not payback. It’s real and you must not look away from me.”

Myles nodded as George took his ass hard. Did George resent the position yesterday? Next time, Myles would have to do better and prove himself for good measure. Rocking his ass to George in time with his thrusts, he looked deep into George’s eyes and held the connection. The warmth of their intimacy slowly spread through Myles.

With George’s hands pushing on Myles’ chest, he arched for more of that cock deep inside of him. The stretching pinched, but Myles wanted to possess all of George. Pulling on his arms until George yielded and moved closer, Myles kissed him. Fucking became grinding and Myles wanted the moment to go on forever.

George gripped Myles’ hair and roughly jerked his cock with the other hand. The ache and pressure built inside Myles as he felt George’s control slip. A few short thrusts and Myles felt George’s climax. The soft moans got lost as they kissed. George’s hand began on Myles’ shaft again. The merciless tugging made Myles yield in every way, shaking as he let the release possess him. George’s tense shoulders finally easing was the only clue. Myles held him tight. There was no rush to let go.

* * * * *

F
ive hours later, George sat in his drawing room with Myles and George’s man of business who’d just arrived from the country. As the other two went over the details of Myles’ estate, George thought about the morning. They’d both suffered in the absence yet George had his stability to fall back on. The same house, servants, and even his brother had been there to take his mind off his broken heart. Meanwhile, Myles had been in a foreign environment at sea, surrounded by death, and while he had access to sex, Myles had desperately missed the one man he loved. Something in the way Myles talked of the navy told George it wasn’t his choice.

They had so much to discuss when things were sorted out. George longed to catch up on pointless stories of what happened while they walked the gardens on his estate. Here and now, Claire still slept nearly twenty hours a day. The doctor, while encouraged, recommended they not move her anytime soon. That was good news to George, all the more justification to keep her here—not that it would stand up to a husband’s legal rights.

A knock on the door made the men turn. Davis stepped inside. “Lord Philips is in the library, my lord. I have the valets armed on the second floor.”

“Thank you, Davis. I’ll be right there.” George buttoned his jacket.

“I’ll go,” Myles said.

“No! Let’s not make more of this than is necessary. I’ll try to get rid of him first.” George patted Myles on the shoulder.

Heading out, he walked slowly to the library. It was an impertinent move from Philips. The men hadn’t been properly introduced the night of the ball and had never met before. They traveled in different circles. George was proud of that. For a baron to turn up at an earl’s home without an invitation was a clear step out of bounds.

“Philips, I don’t remember inviting you to my home. I don’t appreciate the interruption. I have a great deal of business to deal with while in London.” George went in with disdain.

“Forgive the imposition, my lord. I simply wanted to inquire about my wife, since she’s such good friends with your family.” The short, sour-looking man barely bowed. While he appeared sober, his general appearance was undesirable. Even if George’s taste didn’t run to the masculine, he’d seen why Philips would have had to buy a wife.

“Your wife? Why would you inquire here? She’s your affair.” George kept his distance and watched Philips carefully.

“I think your brother showed more interest in her than as an old friend.” Philips stood.

“Very true, he was interested in the information she possessed. I need to speak to Mr. Harris about his estate.” George had to lie fast and smoothly.

“I’m sure you’ll have a very happy reunion. He’s been quite the pest wanting to see her,” Philips grumbled.

“I only need to see him so my man can inform Harris and transfer certain things over, the sooner the better. The imposition has gone on long enough.” George looked down his nose at the squat figure of a man.

“Very true. It’s been over a year. Blasted navy. You have my sympathies there. Your lordship has been far more charitable than I would’ve been. That’s all you claim my wife was telling your brother?” Philips’ eyes narrowed.

“You doubt my brother’s word? Are you questioning mine?” George stiffened his back and took a step forward. As much as he worried about what Philips knew, he had to act as though he feared nothing.

“Not at all. I’ve just lost track of my wife. I thought she might be keeping your brother company. She may be missing her childhood home and friends. Losing her father and brother was a shock. It grieved me as well. I was close with them.” Philips wasn’t backing down fast.

“I can assure you that is not the case. My brother fell ill that night and has been in bed ever since. Which is why I’ve not attended any parties and the doctor has darkened my doorstep every day since. Basil is on the mend but not well enough to leave his room. I’ll handle any abuses of his honor myself,” George said.

“No offense was meant. You wouldn’t happen to know where that brother of my wife’s is at the moment? I stopped at his club several times and he wasn’t there. I thought he might be enjoying your hospitality.” Philips eyed the door.

George was ready to throw the man out of his house. “I have no use for houseguests. I am neither your newspaper nor your spy. I know Harris has been busy reacquainting himself with London. Old friends. New clothes. There is much to be done. He has been here only once to get necessary information. He’ll deal with my man of affairs. He said you were incredibly rude and dismissive when he asked about his sister. Since it seems you lost your wife, his concerns were indeed valid. Let’s hope she returns home in peace and that nothing sinister has happened to her during your neglect.”

“He told you all that did he?” Philips rubbed his chin.

“Our families are old friends. I want no harm to come to Lady Philips. I sincerely hope you find her well,” George said.

“I suppose she may have returned to our country home after our quarrel.” Philips shrugged. “Tell your brother to stay far away from her. It’s convenient that he fell ill at the same time she fled for our estate.”

“Fled? Why would she flee London?” George asked innocently.

“It’s only a turn of phrase. She’ll be back, have no fear.” Philips rocked back on his heels. “Your brother looked quite in good health that night. I was watching him most carefully.”

“I can assure you that my brother is upstairs and too unwell for visitors. Probably something he ate. He’s not left London in his condition.” George had had enough of the horrid little baron and his conversation. Crossing the room, George rang the bell and kept one eye on Philips at all times.

Davis stepped into the room. “My lord?”

“Baron Philips is leaving and is not welcome back.” George glanced in Philips’ direction and walked out the door. Using his title over the proper term of lord for Philips was both a slight and a reminder that George outranked the other man.

“Very good, my lord,” Davis said.

Walking into the drawing room, George slammed the doors behind him. Myles jumped and the steward looked up. “Bad news, my lord?”

“That worm of a brother-in-law you have, Harris. He is beyond worthless.” George paced.

“He doesn’t know anything, does he?” Myles asked.

George shook his head. “He suspected she was here with Basil or has fled London with Basil. I was ruder than I’ve ever been in my life. I had him thrown out and banned.”

“I’m sure you did right, my lord.” The steward bowed.

“I know I did. However, we know his quandary won’t be solved any other way. He won’t find Lady Philips elsewhere.” George looked at Myles.

“He’ll be back,” Myles said.

“No doubt. Philips believes she’s returned to their country home. That might buy us a day or two.” George eyed the port and knew it would do nothing good for him. Eying Myles, he knew what he needed and craved more than any wine.

* * * * *